Infection with HCV-genotypes 4-6 is associated with less focal
necrosis, but otherwise there is no difference of the inflammatory
activity caused by the various HCV-genotypes. In contrast infection
with type 1b is associated with significanly higher scores of
fibrosis. There is no correlation between the age of the patients
and fibrosis scores in their liver biopsies (Spearman's rho=0.17,
p=NS).

Conclusion: The advanced histological stage of patients infected
with HCV-genotype 1b does not seem to depend on the older age
(supposedly longer duration of disease) of these patients but
rather on the more aggressive behaviour of this particular viral
genotype.